06 August, 2008

We just got a shipment from Japan with a few items we've been out of for months. We once again have the very popular Ostrich handlebar bags, as well as Ostrich panniers and rain covers.

We've also received Japanese sound bells. And we finally have Nitto Campee rear racks, but not the front.

The two photos on the left are of the latest prototype of the Velo Orange bar bag. I think the quality and design are really nice. The production version will likely be black with brown trim. We hope to have them in stock in about three months. We will also have new versions of our other bags and perhaps small VO panniers.

43 comments:

I was looking over the site this morning, and it said the Nitto M-12 racks were out of stock. I've been thinking of getting one as part of a front basket setup. So does this new shipment mean they're back in stock?

What I *really* want is a front basket/rack/decaleur setup, but no one seems to make such a thing. I've got a removable front basket now, but the attachment isn't as sturdy as rack/decaleur seems to be. That means I can't use the basket for much weight on the bike... so I'd love to see a sturdier removable design.

A fixed basket means I need to remember a shopping bag, which is a bit dicey. A removable one means I always have a way to carry things on my bike... and off it. Much more convenient.

Emily said:What I *really* want is a front basket/rack/decaleur setup, but no one seems to make such a thing. I've got a removable front basket now, but the attachment isn't as sturdy as rack/decaleur seems to be. That means I can't use the basket for much weight on the bike... so I'd love to see a sturdier removable design.

Can you mount a decaleur onto a front basket? I should think you could easily mount a Velo Orange type decaleur to a wicker basket. Add a loop to slide over the hoop of the front rack and it ought to be as solidly mounted as a handlebar bag.

One more vote for green or tan over black for the very cool VO boxy bag. At the margin, black bags get hotter and are more difficult to find things in than lighter colored bags. (And, IMHO, tan bags look better than black bags on any color bike except yellow/tan/khaki and maybe white.) I'd also vote for hooks and loops on the small pockets.

Wow,the VO bag looks great! I think I'd be a fan regardless of color, as long it were low-key. About the VO panniers, are you saying you think you got some in with this shipment or that they should be in fairly soon? I've actually been on the lookout for some small panniers. Also glad to see the Ostrich bags are back in stock.

I have a black Berthoud bag with buckles and I open/close them all the time while riding. I actually prefer them to the elastic and hook while riding since I know they are latched and won't pop open on a bump, even at the end of a brevet.... Tan and/or black for the body of the bags on my opinion... Good job Chris.

Green = very good. The prototype color is great, here's hoping you can't get black.

I've ridden a Carradice Lowsaddle with buckles for a couple years now and have finally quit thinking every time I open it, "gee, these buckles are easy". Cuz they LOOK like they should be a hassle, but they just aren't. I think the reason is is that the leather straps are thick and stiff and thus easy to thread through the buckles.

OK, what gives? When we started importing Ostrich bags I received at least a dozen e-mails asking me to get them in any color other than green. I even tried to persuade Ostrich to change the color; they wouldn't. Now everyone loves green. Is this a fashion thing. Did I miss an important article in Bike Vogue? Is green the new black? ;<)

I like the green, but I would go with either tan or grey. Yes, the leather trim gives this a different appearance than the Ostrich, but do you really want to sell two green handlebar bags and zero not-green handlebar bags? I like your impulse to carry a color that will go with almost any frame, but I'd prefer tan or grey over black.

The campee rack is really great. I've riding with one for a couple years and love it. Heal clearance can be a problem though. My heal just barely clears the low mount racks. I'm talking millimeters. If my shoes were a size bigger or if my cranks were 170mm instead of 165 or if the chainstays were a tad shorter, then it wouldn't work.

My vote is for the green. Make it identical to the prototype bag. It looks much more classic than black and won't show road grit nearly as easily. TA tan would be my second option. Only becuase I miss my TA.

Congrats on the move! Sorry that Comcast pushed you around. They like to do that when they can. I hope the business flourishes even more in the new space!

The picture of the new bag looks like a lighter shade of green than the earlier VO bags. I'm not sure if it's the leather accents, more light in the photo, or a different fabric, but it looks much nicer to my eye than the color it's replacing.

Re: strapsThe main advantage of carrying front bags is easy access to your goods. It's unfortunate they decided to 'upgrade' these bags, because you lose a bit of this convenience with straps and buckles.

That said, I really like the new bag design changes and appreciate the work you've done with this and all the other fine additions you've brought to the table.